Dentist in Port Charlotte disscuses the development of teeth

Tooth development begins while the baby is in the womb. At about five weeks of gestation, primary teeth will appear in the baby's jaws. The baby will have a set of 20 primary teeth hidden in the gums at birth. There are five stages in the development of tooth:

The basic substance of the tooth forms in the fetus at six weeks.

Hard tissues surrounding the teeth are formed at three to four months of gestation.

Tooth eruption, also called teething, occurs from six months onwards.

Loss of the primary teeth.

Eruption of permanent teeth.

Tooth Eruption/Teething

Eruption refers to the breaking of tooth through the gum line. The timing of tooth eruption is different from child to child. Most children start teething when they are a few months old, and some start teething at 12 months old or more. Generally, average children have their full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of three years.

Loss of primary teeth

At about six years of age, your child’s primary teeth will fall out to make way for permanent teeth. Some children lose their first tooth a year or two earlier or even as late as six years. Generally, girls tend to lose teeth earlier compared to boys. Usually, the front tooth of the lower jaw is the first tooth to fall out. Losing their primary teeth can be painful for children. As a parent, reassure your child that losing their baby teeth is normal and that new teeth will come in place.

Eruption of permanent teeth

Permanent teeth, also known as adult teeth or secondary teeth, erupt at about six years of age. Four permanent molar teeth (two in each jaw) will grow behind the child's primary teeth. Permanent teeth (incisors, canines, and premolars) will grow in the gaps of gum left by primary teeth.

It is vital for parents to know that their child’s teeth develop as they grow, thus requiring different levels of care.